Problem 2-12 Determination of profitability [LO2-1] Lemon Auto Wholesalers had sales of $1,650,000 last year, and cost of goods sold represented 76 percent of sales. Selling and administrative expenses were 13 percent of sales. Depreciation expense was $15,000 and interest expense for the year was $17,000. The firm's tax rate is 30 percent. a. Compute earnings after taxes. b-1. Assume the firm hires Ms. Carr, an efficiency expert, as a consultant. She suggests that by increasing selling and administrative expenses to 15 percent of sales, sales can be increased to $1,700,600. The extra sales effort will also reduce cost of goods sold to 72 percent of sales. (There will be a larger markup in prices as a result of more aggressive selling.) Depreciation expense will remain at $15,000. However, more automobiles will have to be carried in inventory to satisfy customers, and interest expense will go up to $24,100. The firm's tax rate will remain at 30 percent. Compute revised earnings after taxes based on Ms. Carr's suggestions for Lemon Auto Wholesalers. (Round taxes and earnings after taxes to 1 decimal place.) b-2. Will her ideas increase or decrease profitability? Increase profitability Decrease profitability